Software Service Engineer - South Korea

About Nearfield Instruments

Nearfield Instruments (NFI) is a fast-growing high-tech scale-up. We design, develop, integrate, market, and service advanced metrology systems that enable the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers to improve production yields and enhance the functionality of their microchips. With a strong and expanding presence in South Korea, including Pyeongtaek and Dongtan, we are continuously strengthening our regional footprint to better support our customers.

Why Nearfield?

• Broader technical exposure: Go beyond routine service work. Work across different technical challenges, perform true root-cause analysis, and develop an end-to-end understanding of customer issues.

• Real ownership: Take responsibility, solve complex problems, and see the direct impact of your work.

• Continuous learning: Build expertise in AFM, semiconductor processes, and advanced troubleshooting through hands-on experience, learning directly from experienced experts at HQ and in the field.

• Customer intimacy: Work closely with customers and directly understand their technical needs and challenges.

• Global exposure: Opportunities for training at our headquarters in the Netherlands, and close collaboration with HQ and international colleagues.

• Agile culture: Work in a fast-moving environment with open communication and quick decision-making, where you can make a difference.

The Role

Due to rapid customer growth and system installations in South Korea, we are expanding our Field Engineering team.

As a Software Service Engineer, you will operate at the forefront of advanced semiconductor manufacturing, supporting leading semiconductor manufacturers in Korea's most advanced production environments. This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you will work with next-generation metrology systems, combining software development and troubleshooting expertise with system-level engineering. A significant part of the role involves supporting, troubleshooting, and improving software applications and tools developed in C# and Python. You will be part of a lean, fast-growing field team, with significant ownership and direct exposure to customers, while collaborating closely with global R&D teams.

Key Responsibilities

System Installation & Qualification

• Lead software installation, system setup, and configuration at customer sites

• Perform system bring-up and validation, including license activation

• Execute installation, operational, and performance qualification procedures

• Ensure system readiness for high-volume production environments

• Support integration with factory systems (SECS/GEM, MES where applicable)

Software & System Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot, analyze, and support software applications developed in C# and Python

• Develop and maintain scripts and utilities for diagnostics, automation, log analysis, and data processing.

• Support software deployments, updates, and testing activities in customer environments.

• Diagnose and resolve issues across Windows- and Linux-based environments.

• Analyze system performance, including throughput, latency, CPU utilization, and memory usage.

• Troubleshoot across software and hardware interfaces, including controllers, sensors, stages, and communication layers.

• Work with logs, telemetry, and monitoring tools to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

Customer Support & Field Engineering

• Provide on-site technical support in cleanroom semiconductor fabs

• Ensure high system uptime and operational stability

• Act as a trusted technical partner to customer engineering teams

• Own and drive resolution of complex technical issues and escalations

Feedback Loop to Engineering

• Translate field issues into structured feedback for global R&D teams

• Contribute directly to product and feature improvements

• Act as the “voice of the field,” influencing system performance and usability

Job requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Fluent in Korean and Good working proficiency in English

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or a related field.

• 3-8 years of experience in software engineering, system engineering, technical support, or field service.

• Strong experience with Python programming and scripting.

• Working knowledge of C# and .NET.

• Experience troubleshooting software applications.

• Good knowledge of Windows operating systems.

• Basic understanding of networking concepts such as TCP/IP.

• Ability to communicate technical issues clearly and work independently.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with semiconductor equipment or high-precision systems

• Familiarity with SECS/GEM or factory automation

• Experience with Git or version control tools

Highly Desired

• Willingness to work on-site in Pyeongtaek / Dongtan

• Ability to work in cleanroom environments (ESD, gowning)

• Willingness to travel domestically as required

• Willingness to travel to our HQ in Rotterdam for training (9–12 weeks in total, divided into 3-week trips)

• Ability to read technical documentation and follow safety procedures

What We Offer

• A collaborative and international working environment

• Competitive compensation and benefits package

• Long-term career development within a rapidly growing organization

• Exposure to cutting-edge AFM and semiconductor technology

• Strong ownership and opportunities to grow with the business

Who Thrives at Nearfield?

• Nearfield is particularly suited to people who:

• Are curious and eager to learn continuously on the job.

• Enjoy solving complex problems rather than following established routines.

• Want broader responsibility and ownership of their work.

• Are motivated by ownership rather than structure.

• Are self-motivated and comfortable working in a growing organization.

• Enjoy working directly with demanding, high-tech customers and stay composed under pressure.

• Want exposure to an international team and opportunities to work closely with colleagues in Europe.

• Are excited by challenges, change, and the opportunity to help build something.

Compensations & Benefits

• Commuting allowance

• Holiday allowance (Lunar New Year / Chuseok)

• Business travel support, including daily allowance, transportation, and communication costs

• Annual health check-up support

• Family event leave

Interview process

1)      CV screening

2)      Recruiter screening interview

3)      Technical interviews (2 - 3 rounds)

4)      Final interview